The mum of Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena bombing, is desperately urging MPs to back new anti terror laws – after campaigning for the last six years to bring new security measures into place for event venues
The mum of a Manchester Arena bombing victim has urged MPs to “act before it is too late” at a landmark Westminster debate tomorrow (Monday) on anti-terror laws.
Figen Murray, who has campaigned for six years for new venue security legislation Martyn’s Law, hailed today “the most important day yet” as politicians discuss the vital bill in the Commons.
And Figen, whose son Martyn Hett, 29, was among 22 killed in the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017, called on MPs to “immediately priorotise” the nation’s safety and implement the law.
It comes after MI5 chief Ken McCallum revealed last week there had been a shocking 43 foiled “late stage” terror threats on UK venues in the last seven years.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Figen, said: “Today is a momentous day and the biggest and most important since we began campaigning for a Martyn’s Law six years ago.
“For the first time, MPs will debate the law and acknowledge what this nation is desperately calling for – better terror laws at our venues so our kids and young people are safe from potential threats.
“MPs need to know that we are on the clock and it is only a matter of time before a terror attack slips through the net and we have to be ready. I hope this debate will shake them into this realisation.”
Today is the first time Martyn’s Law, which calls for mandatory anti-terror training to staff and tighter event security at venues, will be debated in Westminster.
Figen, who will travel to London and watch from the viewing gallery, added: “This law needs to be in place now but I hope for Martyn’s memory and the safety of all people like him it is at least in place fully by the start of next year.”
King Charles laid out his commitment to the law in his King’s Speech earlier this year, it was briefly introduced to parliament last month but today MPs will properly thrash out its details in a debate, which could last seven hours.
Figen said: “There is no doubt this Government are taking it seriously and it is a huge step forward that we will be in the Commons talking about it.
This government have progressed Martyn’s Law further than any of the four Tory Prime Ministers in the short time they have been in place and we are very grateful for them realising its importance.”
Martyn’s Law – named in memory of he son – will require venues with a capacity of over 200 to have plans to prevent terror attacks. The level of restrictions venues are required to take will depend on their capacity.
Those that can accommodate over 800 will have to put in place measures such as CCTV or hiring more security staff.
Figen said: “We are expecting some push back from some about how it would look for the smaller businesses, but the government have been shown a series of representations from small venue owners who are welcoming the law.”
Last week, M15 Director General Ken McCallum said that since March 2017, MI5 and police had foiled 43 late-stage terror attack plots. He said some of those plotters were “trying to get hold of firearms and explosives.”
Figen added: “These stats should be a huge wake up call. Terrorism will always exist, it won’t go away. We can’t kid ourselves that we won’t be affected or that police of MI5 will always snub it out. At some point it will break its way through.”
PR worker Martyn, a keen YouTuber and Coronation Street superfan, had been in high spirits before the concert on May 22 2017 – supposed to be his farewell night out before he set off to travel the world.
But after the show, as the 20,000 fans began leave the venue, 22-year-old Islamist fanatic Salman Abedi detonated a home-made bomb packed with screws, nuts and bolts. Martyn’s body was later found with 16 pieces of shrapnel in it.
As well as those killed, more than 800 people, many of them children, were injured.
Since the atrocity, Figen has travelled the world in her crusade to boost security at UK venues and champion Martyn’s Law.
Figen said: “Martyn is always at the forefront of my mind and this law will be in his name but it is just as much for those others who have died.
MPs need to know that we cannot have more young people like Martyn failing victim to terror and they need protecting now.
I know Martyn would be proud that we have come this far, having his law discussed in parliament at length but he would not want us to rest until this legislation is fully in place.”
